Alice Cooper – Constrictor
Year of Release – 1986
Label – MCA Records
Alice Cooper tightens his hold on an MTV generation
After an absence of 3 years, Alice Cooper returned in 1986 with a new heavy metal sound aided massively by the inclusion of Rambo style shredder Kane Roberts. The resulting record was ‘Constrictor’ which catapulted the rejuvenated Alice back into the limelight.
‘Constrictor’ latched onto mid 80’s popularity of the glam metal movement with songs such as ‘Teenage Frankenstein’, ‘Give It Up’ and ‘The World Needs Guts’. These songs featured the standard social observations of Alice and delivered in his unique vaudeville horror style, particularly that of ‘Teenage Frankenstein’ and ‘He’s Back (The Man Behind the Mask)’ which were featured in the movie ‘Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives’ and managed to introduce Alice to a younger generation who quickly showed their appreciation by giving both songs heavy rotation on MTV.
As an album ‘Constrictor’ placed Alice Cooper on a springboard for his future successes in the late 80’s and early 90’s and although most of the songs on the album are very generic and very of their time, they feature that distinctly mid-80’s crisp sampled drum sound and large impactful backing vocals. However, these generic songs are saved by some excellent songs which are strategically placed to keep your interest, leaving you with an enjoyable album.
76/100
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgSbZ8J8eAw
MHF Magazine/Adam McCann
